Microcosm. General index |
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Page 16
The summit of knowing is to know that knowledge is a non - entity . The idea of
total ignorance cannot but be grating to the pride of a human creature ; Ergo ,
should we not at once embrace a doctrine which saves us this reflection , by
teaching ...
The summit of knowing is to know that knowledge is a non - entity . The idea of
total ignorance cannot but be grating to the pride of a human creature ; Ergo ,
should we not at once embrace a doctrine which saves us this reflection , by
teaching ...
Page 127
... Song weak as mine , give them to whom belong The little gleanings of my
classic lore , And all my knowledge ( were that knowledge more ) Yet I will thank
you , nor the thanks refuse N° 17 . MICROCOSM . 127.
... Song weak as mine , give them to whom belong The little gleanings of my
classic lore , And all my knowledge ( were that knowledge more ) Yet I will thank
you , nor the thanks refuse N° 17 . MICROCOSM . 127.
Page 205
the difference of manner , age , and all the contingencies which have contributed
to their formation . To the man to whom amusement , in competition with
knowledge , is a very secondary object , this employment has , by the most able
writers ...
the difference of manner , age , and all the contingencies which have contributed
to their formation . To the man to whom amusement , in competition with
knowledge , is a very secondary object , this employment has , by the most able
writers ...
Page 233
Taught by experience that a knowledge of the belles lettres is a universal
recommendation , without which unpolished virtue may indeed command respect
, but can seldom excite esteem , we make an advantageous exchange of the ...
Taught by experience that a knowledge of the belles lettres is a universal
recommendation , without which unpolished virtue may indeed command respect
, but can seldom excite esteem , we make an advantageous exchange of the ...
Page 261
I cannot be persuaded that the desire of knowledge , which is so universally
prevalent in man , could be implanted in us only to torment us ; only to convince
us , that after years of fruitless toil , that toil might have been spared , as no
advantage ...
I cannot be persuaded that the desire of knowledge , which is so universally
prevalent in man , could be implanted in us only to torment us ; only to convince
us , that after years of fruitless toil , that toil might have been spared , as no
advantage ...
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Common terms and phrases
abilities actions admiration ambition appearance attempt attention called cause character claim common consequences consider course criticism desire distinguished doubt effect entirely equally excellence existence expression favour feel former frequently genius give glory Griffin ground hand heart hero honour hope human idea imitation immediately instance kind knowledge known labours language laws learning least less letter liberty light lines lived look mankind manners means ment merit mind MONDAY moral nature never object observation once opinion original passions perhaps period person pleasing poem poet poetry political possessed present principle probably proceed produced prove readers reason received reflect remain respect Roman seems short similar superior suppose taste tell thing thought tion true universal virtue whole wish writers
Popular passages
Page 249 - What he attempted, he performed ; he is never feeble, and he did not wish to be energetic ; he is never rapid, and he never stagnates. His sentences have neither studied amplitude, nor affected brevity ; his periods, though not diligently rounded, are voluble and easy. Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison, HUGHES.
Page 249 - His prose is the model of the middle style ; on grave subjects not formal, on light occasions not grovelling ; pure without scrupulosity, and exact without apparent elaboration ; always equable and always easy, without glowing words or pointed sentences.
Page 169 - Let others better mould the running mass Of metals, and inform the breathing brass, And soften into flesh, a marble face ; Plead better at the bar ; describe the skies, And when the stars descend, and when they rise.
Page 85 - All on a summer's day." I cannot leave this line without remarking that one of the Scribleri, a descendant of the famous Martinus, has expressed his suspicions of the text being corrupted here, and proposes instead of " all on " reading " alone ", alleging, in favour of this alteration, the effect of solitude in raising the passions.
Page 184 - Yet all these were, when no man did them know; Yet have from wisest ages hidden beene: And later times things more unknowne shall show. Why then should witlesse man so much misweene That nothing is, but that which he hath scene?
Page 135 - With dust dishonour'd, and deform'd with gore. As the young olive, in some sylvan scene, Crown'd by fresh fountains with eternal green, Lifts the gay head, in snowy flowrets fair, And plays and dances to the gentle air; When lo ! a whirlwind from high heaven invades The tender plant, and...
Page 68 - I saw them under a green mantling vine That crawls along the side of yon small hill, Plucking ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; Their port was more than human, as they stood : I took it for a...
Page 81 - I too am not entirely destitute of abilities of this kind ; but that by possessing a decent share of critical discernment, and critical jargon, I am capable of becoming a very tolerable commentator. For the proof of which, I shall rather prefer calling the attention of my readers to an object, as yet untreated of by any of my immediate predecessors, than venture to throw in my observations on any work which has before passed the ordeal of frequent examination. And this I shall do for two reasons...
Page 81 - I to take occasion to shew that I too am not entirely destitute of abilities of this kind; but that by possessing a decent share of critical discernment, and critical jargon, I am capable of becoming a very tolerable commentator. For the proof of which, I shall rather prefer calling the attention of my readers to an ob°ject, as yet untreated of by any of my immediate...
Page 91 - Thus have I industriously gone through the several parts of this wonderful work ; and clearly proved it, in .every one of these parts, and in .all of them together, to be a due and proper epic poem ; and to have as good a right to that title, from its adherence to prescribed rules, as any of the celebrated master-pieces of antiquity. And here I cannot help again lamenting, that by not knowing the name of the author, I am unable to twine...
Bibliographic information
| Title | Microcosm. General index Volume 45 of The British Essayists: With Prefaces, Historical and Critical, Lionel Thomas Berguer |
| Author | Lionel Thomas Berguer |
| Publisher | T. and J. Allman, 1823 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 5 Mar 2007 |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |